A regular update on the life and times of John Hanby’s Newstead Bonsai Centre……..
Topical Times – The remains of a Spruce!
One of our academy sessions focused on air layering when different techniques on various species were discussed and practised. One of the varieties selected was Pices Abies Albertiana Conica.
The problem with this material was that the trunks divided several inches above soil level. It was therefore necessary to create a new root structure at the point where the trunks split so that twin trunk or clump style bonsai could then be created and eventually potted in a shallow container.
Once the new roots had been formed the original base of the trunk and the old rootball could be cut away.
One of these was actually left with a couple of relatively thin branches which had sprouted on the original tree below where the trunk divided in to two…….what could be done, if anything with these remains?……..a few days ago we found out…..
The trunk was laid almost flat in a training pot. The two trunks and all the remaining side branches were then wired and positioned. As the tree recovers and develops more of the bark on the old trunk can be stripped away to make the design look more natural.
When the tree is repotted into a shallow pot or on a slab and suitably landscaped with 
rocks, moss,ferns, etc this could make a very convincing landscape planting, simple and effective. Sometimes what remains is the start of something new…………